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Mark Dantonio’s Michigan State Spartans recorded their first win of the season on Saturday (6-9-08) behind Javon Ringer, a 5-foot-9, 202-pound senior, who rushed for 135 yards on 34 carriers (nearly 4 yards per carry) and scored 5 times as the Spartans crushed Eastern Michigan 42-10.

Ringer scored twice in MSU’s opening 38-31 loss at California, so he now has 7 rushing touchdowns on the year. It’s a tall order, but if Ringer can score twice a game for the next 10 games, the Spartans can improve on their 7-5 record from last year.

Ringer was missed or overlooked by the Ohio State coaching staff when he graduated from Chaminade-Julienne Catholic High School in Dayton, OH. You’d think Ringer might want to get the ball in some interesting places when the Spartans take on the Buckeyes on the third Saturday in October.

It looks like MSU’s passing attack behind fifth-year senior Brian Hoyer isn’t going anywhere fast. Let’s just say teams aren’t planning their entire defensive strategy around Hoyer’s playmaking ability.

There’s a reason Hoyer was 8-of-12 for 148 yards (translation = don’t screw it up) against Eastern Michigan, which went 4-8 last year, losing while Bowling Green and Central Michigan won in the Mid-American. Conference.

Unlike the Spartans, teams playing the Washington Huskies plan their entire defensive strategy around containing redshirt second-year quarterback Jake Locker’s play. National analysts and commentators are quick to recognize that Locker could be outstanding as a strong quarterback, running back, receiver or safety. Locker has the talent and playmaking ability that Hoyer doesn’t.

A solid, tight defense and strong running game will carry Michigan State past Hoyer’s arm-and-field leadership. A running game eats up the clock and keeps your opponent’s offense off the field.

I suggested that the Spartans ride the Eastern Michigan Eagles as Seabiscuit in Pimlico, and they did. Michigan State scored touchdowns in each quarter and scored two touchdowns in both the second and fourth quarters. Ringer scored on runs of 4, 6, 2, 1 and 2 yards. He might have had a sixth TD if he hadn’t fumbled 3 yards from ground pay on Michigan State’s first drive.

Last year saw the Spartans crush the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) 55-18 in their first game, and MSU seemed unstoppable and unbeatable, rushing over, around and through UAB for 298 yards.

They then played better competition and began to look more beatable each week. MSU gave up a ton of points last year and lost to more developed programs at Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin. Michigan State’s biggest win last year came at home against a Penn State team 8-4, 35-31.

Spartans host Florida Atlantic (1-1) next, not exactly a powerhouse but a 7-5 team last year (same as MSU’s record last year), Sun Belt title co-champions with Troy in 6-1, and New Orleans Bowl winners over Memphis, 44-27.

The Spartans could and should win this game at home by 3 touchdowns, otherwise the toughest opponents on their schedule might get the idea Michigan State isn’t that big of a deal.

Copyright © 2008 Ed Bagley

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